Improvement in vaccinators



STATES 'Partnr @Ernten AMOS WHlTTEMORE, OF UAMBRIDGEPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

IM PROV'EM ENT IN VACCINATO RS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 52,921, datedFebruary 27, 1866; antedated February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMos WHrrrEMonE, of Gambridgeport, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Vaccinator; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawin gs, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a view of one side of the instrument. Fig. 2 shows the interior construction of the instrument, as seen by removing one of the side plates. Fig. Sisa similar view, showing the parts in position ready for striking. Fig. 4 shows the tripping-bar, which carries the injecting point. Fig 5 is a cross-section through the instrument, taken at the point indicated by red lines w a', Fig. 2. Figs. 6 and 7 represent the injecting-points.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The object of my invention is to effect the operation of vaccination instantaneously, by means of an instrument which will penetrate the skin and introduce the vaccine-matter at one and the same time, as will be hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the case ofthe instrument, which may be constructed of any form that can be conveniently grasped in the hand. This case is made hollow to receive the contrivances for actuating the injecting-point a, which projects from a beak, b, that forms a part of the case. This point a is suitably secured to a bar, o, which is pivoted at t' to the case, and which has a notched projection, c', formed on its free end, and on the opposite edge to the point a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The bar o is acted upon by a spring, d, to hold it in the position represented in Fig. 2, and also by a lever, c, to elevate its free end to the position represented in Fig. 3.

The lever o has a knife-edge projection, o', formed on the end of its short arm, and also a projection, e2, the former of which is intended to catch into the notch of the bar o when the long arm of said lever is thrown up by the spring d, and when this arm is depressed the required distance the projection c2 Will move the lever e backward and relase the bar o, thus allowing the spring d to throw this bar down in its place with considerable force.

The pivot j' of the lever c passes through an oblong slot formed through this lever, which slot admits of the latter being moved back and forwardin a direction with its length. This movement takes place when the knifeedge o' enters the notch in the projection c', and also when it leaves this notch.

The spring d. is so formed and applied to the instrument that it will operate to force the lever o forward and engage its end e with the bar c, and this forward end of the lever is so formed that it will force the lever backward at the proper time to release the bar o.

The point a is formed of a round or square steel wire, with a depression in its outer end to receive the vaccine-matter, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This point has a semicircular or angular cuttin g-ed ge on its end, which when it penetrates the skin forms a complete valve of the pnnctured skin to close over and retain the vaccine-matter beneath it.

If desirable, the injecting-point a may be so applied to the bar o that it can be adjusted and made to project more or less from the point of the beak b, as circumstances require.

The injecting-points may have cutting-ed ges of different forms, always preserving, however, the feature herein described of leaving the cuticle so that it 'will form a valve or cover for the injected matter.

If desirable, a block of india-rubber may be introduced beneath the bar o, as shown at j, Figs. 2 and 3, for the purpose of deadening the blow of this bar o and preventing an unpleasant noise.

By means of an instrument constructed substantially as described, the operation of vaccination will require but an instant of time and will not be accompanied with much pain.

l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Having thus described my invention, what l. The pivoted slotted lever e, the notched e, with atootzh, e', and a, nose, e2, upon one end, har c c', and spring d, in combination with in combinaion with the notched end c 0f the thebinlelosing case A, substantially as debar c, substantially as described. scri en 1 2. Applying a spring, d, to the instrument AMOS WEITTEMORE in such manner that it will opera-te upon the Vitnesses: bar c und lever e, substantially as described. HENRY THAYER,

3. Constructingthepivoted and slottedlever JOHN LIVERMORE. 

